We have at least four arrests today during a community march, a fifth arrest is suspected but police will not confirm.

A legal observer attempting to contact an arrested member was not allowed to due to “an emergency situation,” we are currently unsure of what this means. At least one arrest was due to a protester taking photographs. At least one protester's possessions have not been returned.

Please call the first precinct, central booking and the Deputy Commissioner of Public Information and urge them to release these peaceful protesters.

UPDATE:We are now receiving reports that at least 80 protesters have been arrested. The National Lawyer's Guild puts the number at around one hundred. Liberty square is currently full with an ongoing discussion on how to respond to this unprecedented level of police aggression. Police are currently surrounding the square. There is nearly one police officer for every two protesters.

Earlier today we had reports of police kettling protesters with large orange net, using tasers, at least five protesters have been maced.

UPDATE:@pulseofprotest was posting live from a police van. It appears as though he has stopped.

134 Comments

WE CAN'T ARTICULATE WHAT'S HAPPENING TO US
This needs to be understood as our strength, not a perceived weakness.
This country's financial infrastructure and machinations have gradually become so abstract, so complex, so parsed into esoteric bits, that our bodies and souls are responding to the vague abyss of contemporary reality as best we possibly can. No one at this point has a model for the quasi-mystical reality of world finance which has whisked away any chance of optimism and forced this agitated and admittedly ugly show of self-defense. Pure rage and terror are an honest articulate response -- and its happening. There's no clear class-divide, no bourgeois, no way to pinpoint and dissolve the POWER that's destroying us. And honestly very few probably look at this and see that they are the problem or the enemy. That's the genius and spectral horror of our contemporary control reality. In the USA more than anywhere in the world, each and every one of us has absorbed and carries in us aspects of our own demise.
BUT WE CAN'T GO ON** SO HERE WE ARE TO EXPRESS A TOTAL BREAKDOWN OF FAITH...

Tear gas won't really hurt you. It shows how powerful the Sotheby's action was and the powerful are really pissed. They rarely use tear gas in NYC because of all the underground tunnels, subways, etc., so you KNOW you've got them freaked. Stay calm, wash it out, regroup and persevere knowing there are thousands of us for every one of you.

UMMM, actually teargas can hurt you a lot. It can cause damage to the brain etc or more minor things such as skin burns. There are reports of miscarriages from it as well. It can kill you if you have asthma/other breathing issues or if used in a closed area. Most of the time it will pass without much major damage but Teargas is not fun! I speak from lots of experience...Hopefully the cops won't use it--I have seen no evidence of them in riot gear in the occupywallstreet protests. But if they do: it will make you feel blind and like you can't breathe. There are different types of gases (Cn & Cs), some are worse.

The teargas canisters will burn your hands. You must wear heat-safe gloves for handling them to throw away from the crowd. Ideally, you'll want to wear a full gasmask. Short of that, you will want to wear goggles like tight swim-goggles, with a respirator like for lead fumes or something. Take out your contacts! And short of that, cover your mouth and nose with a wet soaked rag and close your eyes. Teargas is less potent in water. You can use vinegar or baking soda in water on the rag ---it seems to have a neutralizing effect. And try to breathe thru your nose, not your mouth. The teargas can keep burning your skin even after the fact, so if you can wash up or shower, wash in COLD water which will keep your pores closed and not expose you to the oils that might still be on you.

You can try to hold your ground, but you can also leave. You will usually have a good sense ahead of time if the cops are going to use teargas...You will see them in riot gear with their gasmasks, and you will see the huge teargas gun and canisters on some of them.

Pepperspray is what they were using and will likely use again. Take your contacts out! And if you do get peppersprayed, wash it out of your eyes with a bottle of cool water, with your head tipped to the side, starting from the inner eye so that it runs out the other side of the eye and down the side of your face.

PEPPERSPRAY: Watch the police, be aware of when they are carrying pepperspray. They have small bottles of it, but more likely in the protests they will spray it from a canister thing...Carry a water bottle on you at all times in case you encounter pepperspray, so you can wash out your eyes, or someone else's. If you get hurt, yell, "Medic!" There are trained people near the protests wearing red crosses who know how to help.

Please don't give up protesting. I am a single mother. I saved enough to buy a home, and I lost my dream home to foreclosure. It was a horrible experience and one I wouldn't wish on anyone. At the time I got my mortgage from the bank, I didn't know that the mortgage violated the Consumer Fraud Act. My mortgage was called "Pick A Payment." Some states sued and won, but only a small portion went for "restitution" to the people who lost their homes. It was only a couple of hundred dollars given to each person. The rest of the money went to state programs that combat mortgage fraud. In other words, the rest of the money lined pockets of government officials. My state didn't sue. What these banks and corporations get away with is horrible. The bank that gave me the mortgage broke the law and committed fraud. I still have nightmares of what I went through. To anyone who doesn't support this protest, if we did what the banks do, we would be behind bars. We are not allowed to commit fraud but banks are. Please keep fighting for people like me. Thank you for caring and taking a stand.

Mainstream media sources MUST be made to feel the heat for their highly critical role in all this. Without their help, the union-busting that eventually allowed CEOs to fire without replacing their workers, or game the sytem in ways that sent cash long used for worker bebefits, wages, etc, stright to their own pockets would never have happened. What;s going on with Wall St. requires a compliant press corps or the problems now facing America wouyld never in a million years have happened. If Wall St. is the No.1 problem today, Madison Avenue surely comes in at No. .2! They MUST be made to know that we now know it too!!

The peaceful Occupy Wall Street protest march turned violent as the NYPD corralled and pepper sprayed the participants. Mass arrests were made and loaded onto a NYC bus further locking traffic. The protest march took a route from Zuccotti Park to Union Square on East 14th Street. The protesters were marching back to Zuccotti Park when the NYPD turned violent. Hitting, arresting and forcing protesters into a small area. At that point a NYPD supervisor yelled shut up to one of the protesters and shot pepper spray into her eyes point blank range and hitting a half dozen protesters (including 3 police officers) when they had nowhere to go. The same supervising officer was seen (photographed) laughing after the arrests while looking at his text messages.

When calling to ask about an arrested friend, cops at the First Precinct told me, in essence, "Where exactly was he arrested? At what time?" I replied that it was at the Wall Street protest a couple of hours ago. The cop said, "Oh, that's ongoing. It will be a while. Call back later. He might not even be here."

This is not an uncommon response and we'll have to wait it out.

As folks know more, please update the post or provide details in the comments.

The NLG is probably cruising the police station and detention facilities for people needing legal assistance and bail help. Call them with the friend's name and whatever else you do know: HOTLINE FOR ARRESTS September 17, National Lawyers Guild: (212) 679-6018. If you will be at the action write this down on your arm. It was recommended to call them if you hear of an arrest or if you are arrested https://occupywallst.org/article/lead-up-to-occupation/

The best defense against tear gas is a gas mask, but if you don't have a mask there are still steps you can take to minimize damage from tear gas. If you think you might encounter tear gas you can soak a bandana or paper towel in lemon juice or cider vinegar and store it in a plastic baggie. You can breathe through the acidified cloth for several minutes, which should give you sufficient time to get upwind or reach higher ground. Goggles are a great thing to have. You can use tight-fitting swim goggles if chemical safety goggles aren't available. Don't wear contacts anywhere you might encounter tear gas. If you are wearing contact lenses, immediately remove them.

I actually think this is a great idea. What if all off us withdrew all the money we have in our banks and closed all our accounts? Even though most people said they have , theres probably many more who haven't . Let's spread the word anyone who has any money in any financial institution should withdraw immediately! Banks , stocks etc,, . Can we make this happen? It's not very easy getting down there to occupy, bit
there are alot of people followin this on the Internet myself included who want to be a part of this. Please tweet , blog , and get the word out right away.. There are alot
of people following this right now and this can make a huge difference. This is something that cannot be ignored!

get some hrspray that works as pprspray. and i just applied to the fortune five hundred company, and already applied to several high government jobs.
they wont call
because it is all a sick, gay, jew, blond, monkee ring
i know someone that works for every one of these institutions.

U gonna lose the moderates if u continue to have this "anti police" campaign. Police has afew bad apples just like our protest does. Just leave it alone, if police do something we will call them out. Do not bait them like we are doing.

Guys im a huge supporter, ive been there a few times, marched with you and as this now is getting massive media coverage (unfortunately cause of the cops not cause of the change we want) and we need to becareful on who joins. right now there is no leader and I think thats a good thing, the leader are the angry people, we dont want someone come down and pretend to lead and distort the image and reason this all began. we cant let this turn into a communist movement or anything that will be a loss of individual freedom. for instance I like Michael Moore and Alex Jones, but I dont trust them. lets truly keep this grass roots. and as for certain demands we need to becare about begging for the Rich to be taxed. we dont want to tax anyone. IF you want them to pay back what they stole then yes, but we shouldnt be fighting to tax anyone, we should fight to abolish all federal taxes. taxes is slavery, so lets get that out of this movement (my opinion). and I know we have been chanting for democracy, and I understand why we use that word, but that word is all about mob rule and mob rule leads to socialism. we are a republic and lets keep it that way. anything else other than a republic will lead to the same old situations. this is all said with love cause I want this to grow and explode. we need a revolution, but not a physically one cause we are non violent and physical revolutions lead to another form of government we do not like. as once said before we need a restoration not a revolution. love you all

FOR DAYS NOW I HAVE SEEN VIDEOS ON YOUTUBE AND COVERAGE ON DEMOCRACY NOW ABOUT THE TRANSFORMATION HAPPENING AMONG THE PEOPLE..

IT IS OUR DESTINY THAT SOME OF US ARE IN THE FOREFRONT OF THIS CHAPTER OF HUMANITY..

TODAY.. THE WELL HAS OVER FLOWED WITH AN IMMENSE INTENSION ABOUT WHAT IS REALLY GOING ON..

OCCUPY WALL STREET IS A VOICE OF US BEING PRESENTED TO THE CORPORATE POWERS THAT BE..

YET AMONG THIS VOICE A STRANGE CONTRADICTION IS BEING SHOWN OF OUR OWN COUNTRY OUR PRESIDENT, OUR CONGRESSMAN AND POLITICIANS..OUR OWN DEMOCRATIC WAYS..

THEY DO NOT CARE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

THEY CARE ABOUT MONEY.. MONEY.. MONEY MON ...EYYYYY.. YEAH THAT SHIT GETS YOU STUFFF YEAH.. BE BUSTIN UP A 2011 AUDI.. BUYIN A COUPLE MILL CRIB.. LAYED UP IN SOME TROPICAL ISLAND..

LIVIN LAVISH.. WHO DOESN'T WANT LIVE LIKE THAT.. WOW.. WHAT A MENTALITY.. HAVE.. LALALA.. HAVE.. WANT MORE.. POWER.. CONTROL.. GIVE SOME MORE.. OH YEAH WHAT ELE CAN I TAKE.. AHHH.. OH I AM BORED LETS START A WAR.. OH YEAH COOL.. WE CAN CONTROL ALL THIS STUFF... YEAH WE'RE STRONG AND MIGHTY.. LOOK AT US.. WE WILL KILL YOU.. YOU STUPID LITTLE HUMAN..

OH NO THE BIG PEOPLE WHO TAKE EVERYTHING ARE..!!!!!! TAKING MORE?.. OH MAN.. I JUST TRIED TO MAKE A PAYMENT..AND NOW MY CAR HAS TROUBLE.. MY SON IS IN AFGANISTAN.. AND MY BANKER TOLD ME.. MY HOUSE WAS BEING FORECLOSED ON.. AND MY JOB TOLD ME I CANT HAVE ALL MY 401K.. AND GUESS WHAT.. NOW THE MEDIA AND OUR SUPPOSED LEADERS AHH.. DONT EVEN GIVE A RATS ASS. !!!!!!!!!!!!ABOUT WHATS GOING ON WITH OCCUPY WALL STREET..

WOW.. I CANT BELIEVE IT.. I WATCH ON TELEVISION.. ABOUT TAHIR SQUARE... AND HAVE SEEN SO MUCH GOING ON OUTSIDE OUR COUNTRY.. AND YET.. ALL THE THINGS THAT REALY MOST OF US WOULD CARE ABOUT DONT KNOW IT ANY MORE.. BECAUSE WE ARE FEED A BOTTLE OF MEDIA..AND WE KEEP SUCKING IT UP.. WELL THEIR A CORPORATION TOO.. SO.. THEYT NEED MAKE MONEY OFF US.. AND FEED US FEAR AND DRAMA.. AND BULLSHIT AND HAHA.. AND MORE BULLSHIT..

FRANKLY.. AHH.. THATS WHY I AM HERE.. AND ANYONE ELSE WHO READS SHOULD DEFINEATLY SHARE THIS WITH EVERYONE.. I MEAN SEROUSLY.. NO JOKE FOLKS.. I JUST LEFT A MESSAGE AT NPR'S KPCC.. IN SOCAL.. AND WOW.. I AM KINDA PISSED TODAY BECAUSE THIS NON- MEDIA THING.. IS A HUGE WAKE UP CALL.. SO WHAT DO YOU SUPPORT AMERICA.???????????. YOU SUPPORT OUR FREE COUNTRY..?????????? I AM SURE LIKE MANY OF US WE KNOW TIDBITS OF A WHOLE.. I MEAN WHOSE TO SAY HOW WE AS A COUNTRY CAN BE GROWING AS A DEMOCRACY.. YET THE FACISM AND SOCIALISM AND MANY OTHER ISM'S ARE IN THE FABRIC OF OUR THING.. THIS THING WE CALL DEMOCRACY..

SO.. IF WE ARE GONNA BE LIVIN IN THIS THING OF A SYSTEM.. WE GOTTA FIND A WAY.. TO MAKE A MORE EQUAL VALUE TO THE PERCENTAGE OF THIS FLOW OF COMMERECE...

LET ME ASK YOU THIS.. IF WE THE PEOPLE OF THIS COUNTRY COULD GENERALLY STAND TOGETHER OF THE THE CORE PRINCIPLES OF A NATION.. FOR INSTANCE.. AND FOR ALL HUMANS.. FIRST AND FOREMOST..

GRAND MOTHER EARTH SARED WOMB.... OH YEAH.. SO PRECIOUS SO GRATEFULL

THIS MY DEAR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IS THE FIRST AND FOREMOST OF ALL..OUR EARTH..

THIS MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY IS THE CORE OF IT ALL IN THIS REALITY.. MOTHER EARTH.. ESSENTIALLY...

NEXT.. FEED OUR WORLD..EVERY HUMAN BEING SHOULD HAVE A MEAL TO EAT.. SIMPLE.. DONE.. WE GROW SO MUCH FOOD TO FEED THE WORLD NOW.. BUT WE ARE SO SUPER WASTEFUL IT SUCKS.. MAKE ME KINDA FEEL SHITTY SOMETIMES..

OUR SYSTEMS IN WHICH WE GOVERN.. THE PREMISE THAT OUR EARTH IS SACRED SHOULD SHAPE OUR SOCITIES IN ALL THE WORLD..

OUR HEALTH AND OUR EQUAL PERCENTAGES OF LIFE SKILLS AND TRADES BE MET IN SYSTEMS WE ALL CAN BE GIVEN A FAIR HAND SHAKE..

WOULD BE NICE RIGHT?

ITS ALL IDEAL ABOUT IT.... SOUNDS SIMPLE.. BUT THE CHALLENGE BEING SO SIMPLE.. MAYBE WOULD HAVE AN EFFECT ON THE ETHICS OF OUR WHOLE SPECIES.. I MEAN REALLY WE'RE ALL HERE.. LIVIN OUR DHARMA KARMA LIVES.. DOIN OUR THING.. SEEING HISTORY AND NOW ITS ALL TECHNOLOGICAL.. AND OUR CONSCIOUSNESS AS A WHOLE IS MORE OPEN..

SO WHY ARE WE STILL HAVING ALL THIS DRAMA CONTROL.. I AM A KING.. YOU ARE MY SERVANT AND SLAVE THING GOING ON.. I MEAN REALLY.. IF I WERE HIM..MAYBE JESUS OR BUDDA..OR GHANDI..FIRST OFF I MIGHT PRAY FOR ALL THATS GOING ON.. THAN BECAUSE I AM HUMAN.. CRY.. AND LATER MAY LAUGH AT THE DRAMA..

ITS A SILLY STORY.. I MEAN.. OUR SPECIES IS LIKE IN SOME ASPECTS A SCHOOL YARD OF KIDS PLAYIN..AND NOW WE ARE TRYIN TO SEE WHO'S GONNA MAKE IT TO THE TOP OF THE MOUNTAIN.. BUT THERE IS 2 MOUNTAINS.. ONE MOUNTAIN IS THE MOUNTAIN OF LIFE.. AND YOU SEE THE GRAND SCHEME.. THE OTHER MOUNTAIN IS ABIT DARKER AND DISGUISED AND ITS LIKE WHO EVER CONTROLS THE MOUNTAIN CONTROLS THE WORLD.. BUT.. THATS ALL IN ILLUSION OFCOURSE..

SO THE STORY GOES AND IT WILL GO.. WHETHER OR NOT THIS MESSAGE GOES ANYWHERE.. I JUST AM TRYIN TO LET IT OUT.. BE FOR REAL.. BECAUSE.. EVEN IF WE CAN ALL TRANSFORM.. WHAT EVER OUR KARMA IS.. WE CAN STILL GROW AND WORK ON IT IN A SOCIETY OF LIVING THE IS EQUAL.. SUSTAINABLE AND FREE..

I AM SORRY FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE GREAT ILLUSION OF CORPORATIONS AND GOVERNMENTS.. PRESIDENTS.. WORLD LEADERS.. I AM SORRY FOR YOU ALL... YOU ALL HAVE A CHANCE.. WE ARE ALL HERE.. HUMAN.. MAYBE NON HUMAN..I MEAN THERE'S A CHANCE TOO..SO.. WE ALL HAVE A HEART

WE NEED CO-OPERATIONS... TOGETHER.. TOGETHER.. TOGETHER..

WE ALL.. CAN HAVE THIS ENLIGHTENMENT AND SALVATION..ITS IN OUR BLOOD..THE RED ROAD..

THE CALL OF EARTH.. THE MOTHER.. THE FATHER.. THE TEACHERS AND GUIDES.. ALIGN US..ITS HAPPENING..BUT SOME OF US MAY NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO..??

ALIGN YOUR MIND.. BODY.. SPIRIT.. SOUL..

WITH THE GREAT MOTHER SACRED WOMB.. AND YOUR VISION OF LIFE YOU WILL WALK.. WALK YOUR VISION..

THE TRUTH TO MOVE THROUGH..AND ONE TIME IN A TIME OF ALL.. WE WILL TRANSCEND... I WISH FOR ALL OF US TO JUST HAVE A COMMON HUMAN VISION.. TO REALIZE..EARTH.. JUST SEE HER..AND ALIGN YOUR CULTURES, SOCIETIES, GOVERNMENTS TO THE EARTH..AND THE THE VISION OF HUMANITY WILL BE BEYOND OUR COMPREHENSION..

SO ALL YOU OUT THERE.. STAND UP AND SPEAK YOUR VOICE..AND THEN MEDITATE.. OR VICE VERSA..

More people need to get out on the streets! We can not let the police and city get away with suppressing our right to assembly and their overt harassment and at times violence against peaceful protesters. Where do they get off penning people in! Don't we have a constitutional right to assemble in public places?

NYPD needs to be reminded that when things get tough Bloomberg cuts them, their partners in the fire departments and their children's education first and foremost. Do they think pepper sraying, violence and denying constitutional rights will prevent them from the next layoff? Or maybe get their children a better education? WAKE UP NYPD THIS IS FOR YOU TOO.

Keep the collective efforts of increasing the numbers of protesters from the schools to the community declaring the statement and stand against the Monopoly Capitalism. Activists here from Philippines are with you! people of the world unite we have nothing to lose but our chain of oppression!

See the Oscar-winning documentary movie “Inside Job” (available as a DVD) and read the book by Michael Lewis, “The Big Short” to know how corrupt and irresponsible the banksters are. It's not just the folks in the US who have lost or are losing their homes and jobs, but hundreds of millions around the world..

Proud to see so many young people keeping it so together under tough conditions. Bless you all. We are with you and the word is, finally, getting out. I am writing letters and articles and soon everyone's writing and speaking will reach people who need to join the movement. And this is the beginning of a movement. And when we achieve justice and freedom, remember that we can't just go off and play frisbee and let someone else be the government.

We must hang in for the long haul.

I think the rite wing propaganda followers don't realize that most everyone is working hard, even the unemployed. Some of the hardest work I ever did was look for a job. Wealth is created by labor.

When hard working people make .01% of earnings and own less that .002% of the wealth, there is something wrong with the society that allows this. Productivity is very high, but wages have not risen to compensate that excellence. CEO wages have risen hugely and make, in many cases, hundreds and thousands times more than the average worker in the company. Nobody works that much harder than the worker on the line, the janitors cleaning the bathrooms, the secretaries, the teachers in the classroom, the firefighters, farmers, and so many other working people who produce wealth and build the infrastructure we all use.

The very wealthy get their wealth from the labor of working people. They use the roads, the fire protection, and all the infrastructure that is produced and should pay in proportion from what they gain from this.

Statistics also show that people making $50,000 and less, donate more to charity than the very wealthy. I believe that comes from the Philanthropic Foundation that watches statistics like who gives and what percentage of their income.

Much solidarity from the island of Tenerife in the Canary Islands, Spain. I'm so proud of you all and very happy that you are still there giving them hell. Be aware that the cops randomly grabbing people is a tactic to scare and dissipate you. You see people randomly getting arrested you're less likely to go to the square and put yourself in the line of fire, so to speak, by protesting. This tactic is actively used here. When marching try having a front line and I repeat, practice active civil disobedience, for example human chains with arms interlocked or bear hugs with your arms and legs locked around each other and in sitting position, as well as limp bodies if they manage to separate you from the chain. Also, dogpiles if on the ground and being separated from positin on the ground. Keep documenting and know we are all with you, all over the world.

EL PUEBLO UNIDO, JAMAS SERA VENCIDO!
THE PEOPLE UNITED, WILL NEVER BE DEFEATED!

You guys suck! You don't even know what you are mad at. You keep saying you're growing, yet the rest of us can hardly see you. LMFAO! Take a bath and shave, maybe you can get a job and buy a home, loosers!

Called Deputy Commissioner of Public Information.
The guy refused the common courtesy of giving me his opinion. Mocked me, then diplomatically denied the occurances today.
Excused it all saying the protesters were ordered, and by disobeying the orders of the police officers it was right for them to cordon off the protesters and detain them.
Couldn't even recite to me the rights outlined within the declaration of independence when I asked him what they were.
I said to the guyl I'd be there if this was still going on in a month (I live in Alaska, fiscally a plane ticket isn't possible at this time).
He very assuredly said it wouldn't be going on.
So I asked, "what, is there a plan to stop the protest?"
And he gets all "If there is one, I can neither confirm or deny the existance. I wouldn't know."
Then recited the same scripted junk the first guy I called gave me. "Thank you for calling, and I really appreciate this call."

I feel like "Pulsofprotest" might be fiction-posting. The photos are sepia toned, the comments they are over hearing from the police don't reflect the majority of accounts and I don't recognize the faces from the videos. What were the overall emotional and subconscious effect of these videos on you?

When calling the listed numbers, which extension is best/most relevant? Can somebody who has been successful in that they've gotten through to someone willing to listen/anybody at all please recount which number and which extension they used?

Nevermind. I got through to someone on the Dep. Comissioner of Public Information. I talked to him for a little over 20 minutes, and he listened to everything I had to say and was willing to have a meaningful conversation with me. I opened by asking if he had any loved ones that were sent to unlawful wars, or whose homes were taken from them, or had been screwed over by the school system that doesn't have any money because of the unlawful wars and the subsidies for the system that takes their homes away from them. He said no to all of the questions, but it did open a very good interaction. His bottom line was that maybe the system is fucked, but what the protesters are doing is illegal. Even if anything that you guys are doing is illegal, this is how change comes. This is how change comes because we can't afford lobbyists. We can't afford to take senators on vacations to the French alps. We can't afford to send hookers to politicians' houses (the same married politicians that insist on "family values" meaning oppression and inequality). Even if we could afford it, this way is better. Perhaps it's less effective, but it's not behind closed doors, and it allows for everyone to have a voice.

Thank you all for what you're doing...if I didn't live across an ocean, I would be with you night and day. And thank you to the officer at the DCPI that was willing to spend 20 minutes talking to a 15 year old kid rather than just telling me to get a job like the last guy did.

Never plan where and at what time you will do an action. Create groups of ten to twenty or more activists and have each group elect a coordinator who will pick a time and location for an action and only announce the action moments before it occurs. While waiting for the coordinator to declare an action the group can choose a flash mob approach and receive a text of the time and location allowing the group to disperse locally before the action or the group can just picket on the side walk with the coordinator before the action is called. This approach prevents undercover police from knowing exactly where and when the action will take place. Once the action begins it will also take time for the police to arrive and get organized for the arrests allowing for the greatest impact on the traffic. The more time your are sitting on the pavement the more the traffic will be snarled.

Do not lock arms or go limp when the police begin the arrests. When police reach down to make the physical arrest give them your arms and let them help you up and walk with them to the paddy wagon. This approach allows less injuries to occur to the activists and the police. It is also important that the coordinator does not participate in the action so that he or she can let the police commander on the scene of the action know how the activists are physically prepared to be arrested. This will put the police at ease knowing they will not have risk injury in the arrests.

When doing an action do not step out into speeding traffic. Wait for a lull in the flow of traffic in the street and then walkout remaining in a standing position until the most immediate cars are halted by your action. Once the traffic has clearly stopped because of your blockage then and only the will the coordinator give the ok to sit down. Safety is of the utmost importance in all these type of actions.

Only activists that know and understand that they may be brought up on actual charges and may have to spend some time in jail should take part in these actions. Always give your name to the police so the legal team that will represent you can find you in the system after the arrest

When doing these actions always keep a smile on your face and good cheer in your heart so the police can see your not angry at them. Your traffic blocking is the general symbol of our collective anger but that does not have to translate to anger between you and the police.

As Michael Moore stated on Olberman last night a cop on wall st. told Michael that "These guys (Pointing at the exchange.) destroyed the police pension funds'. letting Michael complete his film shoot on wall st.

As soon as I can find some cash I will come down there and be with you folks.

WE THE PEOPLE have put up with the development of a police state all around us for 20-30 years and haven't risen up against it. Now we are still shocked when they outnumber us, abuse their power and enforce tyrannical laws (banning masks), violate our constitutional rights to free assembly, free speech, privacy and to bare arms in self defense. The fact that they think it is okay to barricade a public street from peaceful protesters tells me all I need to know. Nearly every police force in the country employs former military members, utilizes military training and tactics and weapons to enforce laws throughout our nation. Police use overwhelming shows of force against peaceful protesters to make a point. They are strong and we are weak. The only way for us to take back that power is if enough people choose to rise up against them.

Even if they're not using tear gas, they've used pepper spray, what some are calling mace, perhaps it is mace although that's rare these days. I'm sure you guys already have this info, but just in case, check out:

Egad. I was in the first half of the march, and I managed to cross to Union Square before the police netting was completely rolled out. But we all knew that the police could turn on us at any moment. I'm feeling survivor guilt over this.

I suppose the PTB could no longer hush up this great movement with silence, so they had to hush it up with bad publicity.

This is not a test, I repeat: This is NOT a test. This is the single biggest opportunity we have to take a spark and make it a movement that brings about change. The Egyptian people’s revolution was ignited, literally, by a few protestors’ self-immolation. I don’t think we should light ourselves on fire, but I do think if you have a backbone and a mind that thinks for itself you need to put down what you’re doing and contribute to the rising call for social and economic justice. Even the White House is behind us; Obama‘s vocally defending jobs, tax breaks and unemployment benefits for “The Other 98%” while calling on the richest individuals and corporations to give more back.

Here’s your chance: Get informed and get involved. Let’s not blow this, Gen X and Y.

Guys, there is a lot work to do. We need to be smart. The first very important goal is to remove republicans from the federal goverment.In order to do that we need to be behind Obama and the Demodratic Party.That's gonna save us a lot work.And then we can hold them accountable if it's necessary.

I just called the Deputy Commissioner of Public Information and asked why people were being arrested. I was told: obstruction of vehicular traffic, obstruction of pedestrian traffic, assaulting a police officer, inciting a riot and one other thing...I don't remember now. The man who answered the phone wasn't rude but didn't seem like he really wanted to be answering any questions about the matter, either. I asked him what the definition of "inciting a riot" was and he told me to go look it up in the NY penal code and that it wasn't his job to answer those sorts of questions.

Proud of your resolve. By 1900 Bankers had referred to the majority of the population as "Inferior social strata of society" and this opinion continues to today no doubt. Break free of the Federal Reserve! Honor Banks that do not manipulate our money system if there are any. May we all stay firm in our non-violent resolve to escape from serfdom.

In the Mai Lai Massacre of 1968 in Vietnam, Soldiers of the 20th Infantry Division killed hundreds of unarmed civilians. This atrocious act occurred when one evil man in a position of authority gave unlawful orders to many previously decent Soldiers, who then chose to follow those orders, and thus became evil themselves.

If the officers surrounding Liberty Plaza tonight arrest non-violent protestors who are protected by our Constitution, then they will cease to be public servants and become public enemies, guilty of treason against their own people, their own Constitution, and their Nation, the United States of America.

If they harm these brave Americans who are fighting for a better future for us all, we will never forget the offense. Any officer who uses unlawful force against American citizens or follows unlawful orders which facilitate the oppression of the American People will stand trial for their crimes. We will have Justice.

That is what it felt like today. A few officers got angry at the protesters and started to lash out. Like "you better listen to us or we will spank you attitude". I witnessed it today, certain protesters being singled out, especially the pepper spray incident. The supervisor knew who he was spraying - because she protested too much, too loudly.

Haha, I called the final number and the moron had the gall to ask if I'd filed a report against the banks for being, well, how shall I say this...(in collaboration with the gov't) the most corrupt entities on earth. Would not give any specifics of course as regards the arrested, just that they "broke the law." He told me to "enjoy Suffolk County" due to my area code, to which I replied that I lived in NYC and that the police would be busy "for a long time." And they will. This will not end. It will only get worse as we head into a 2nd recession.

Capitalism relies on constant expansion to function, and regulation quashes that. However, expansion is not possible forever because the planet doesn't have the resources to sustain it. So, I'm suggesting we use the Anarchist economic system.

I graduated from WPI in 2010 with a BS in Theatre. Currently living in Worcester with three roommates, frequently eating Ramen noodle dinners because it's all I can afford. Had I the cash I would continue working on building up my film company and podcast, and spend a year in Boston before moving out west. Instead, I'm stuck in this city because I can't afford to leave. I'm as real as it gets these days.

If you think you might encounter tear gas you can soak a bandana or paper towel in lemon juice or cider vinegar and store it in a plastic baggie. You can breathe through the acidified cloth for several minutes, which should give you sufficient time to get upwind or reach higher ground. Goggles are a great thing to have. You can use tight-fitting swim goggles if chemical safety goggles aren't available. Don't wear contacts anywhere you might encounter tear gas. If you are wearing contact lenses, immediately remove them.

My understanding is tear gas IS being used now. Always stupid... Clears the office buildings out and the gas hangs, but in the street the 'smoke' clears more quickly. Net result, more people in the street. I thought the NYPD figured that out in the 60s.

They'll make it illegal to take the money. In the Netherlands the government even suggested making it an criminal offense to suggest a bank-run. For all I know they are still planning this. They have the tendency to mention something and then one day, a few days before it becomes a law, announce it, that way they are sure no one will ever protest.

I think it's a good idea to also follow up with a phone call or letter to the CEO of the bank advising them that you are closing your accounts and why. If you have credit cards close them and use cash. It might have more impact if everyone did it on the same day a National close your bank account day.

You're all a bunch of broke moron hipster doofuses. Blaming others for your failures in life. So smart yet nothing to show for it, no life accomplishments. Expecting someone with a six figure / 70 hr per week salary to subsidize your two cent paycheck reflective of your useless-to-NY job skills. Go move back in with your parents, who should be so proud of you nitwits while you wait for Obama and his liberal hypocrites to hand you life on a silver platter.

This croud is as diverse as the entire American middle class. For example: I'm a 27 yr old homeowner who pays 3k/month in taxes. Broke moron hipster doofus? Yeah not so much. Take your ignorant head out of your ass.

One day, a trader on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, Adam Sarzen, a decade or so older than many of the protesters, came to Zuccotti Park seemingly just to shake his head. “Look at these kids, sitting here with their Apple computers,” he said. “Apple, one of the biggest monopolies in the world. It trades at $400 a share. Do they even know that?”

The typical police tactic for dealing with peaceful protests such as this is exactly what happened: arrest at random, make up charges, intimidate people, scare them, by any means necessary, try to break the spirits of the protestors. This happens again and again. What happens is that then the city in question gets sued later and loses, having to pay millions out because it broke the law so blatantly. But they don't care about the laws when it comes to trying to destroy peaceful democratic expression. And never are specific officers held accountable, and rarely the police chiefs, so they figure it's a loss they will take because ultimately they are most interested in protecting moneyed interests, not democracy at its best.

All that said, I recommend people go to see Zuccotti Park for themselves. It seems to be a very relaxed, festive, friendly place. i went to check it out this evening, and there were reporters, tourists dropping in from all over the world, who made signs, beautiful handmade signs, and yes, free pizza. I had some interesting conversations with people about the economy, etc, that I might never have had the opportunity to speak with in my life. It's really one of the best things I've seen in NYC, and it's worth checking out. At some point I expect either the police will brutally shut it down, or else it may just get too cold eventually for people to remain there safely, so it's worth seeing while it's here.